M4 MacBook Air: The Mac team is on fire! The M4 Mac Mini Refresh was already one of the best tech deals of 2024—a stellar computer at an unbeatable price. Now, enter the new M4 MacBook Air. It’s the most capable and powerful version yet, thanks to the impressive M4 chip.
Key Features
Here’s what’s new:
- Starting Memory: 16GB
- Battery: Slightly larger capacity
- Ports: Improved Thunderbolt connections
- Webcam: Upgraded to a 12MP Center Stage model
- Color: A fresh Sky Blue shade
- Price: Dropped to $999 for the base model
A Brief History of the MacBook Air
The MacBook Air’s journey is worth a chuckle. It debuted as a jaw-dropping feat of engineering—sleek, but missing a few ports and a bit impractical. Over time, it morphed into a reliable, if slightly dated, design. By the time it hit $999, it was the easiest laptop to recommend. Then came the M2 generation with Apple Silicon and more storage, bumping the price to $1,199. Most folks shrugged and said, “Still fine.” Now, in 2025, the M4 chip brings it back to $999. That’s a steal.
What’s Stayed the Same?
Physically, it’s the same old MacBook Air we know and love:
- Same keyboard layout
- No speaker grills
- MagSafe charging
- Two USB-C ports
- Headphone jack
- Notch atop a 60Hz LCD
- Thin, light aluminum chassis
Tiny tweaks include a redesigned mute button icon and that new webcam, which follows you around the frame (if you let it—I turn it off every time).
Battery Boost and a Subtle Hue
The battery crept up from 52.6Wh to 53.8Wh—a modest 2% increase. It’s like a real-life spot-the-difference game. But the real giveaway? The color. Sky Blue is so subtle that it’s almost sneaky. Against white, it’s faintly blue; next to actual blue, it’s silver again. I’d dub it “Barely Blue”—a whisper of color, like someone tiptoed through the paint shop with a single blue crayon. Spot this pale shade, and you’ve got the latest model. It replaces Space Gray, by the way.
The M4 Chip: The Real Star
The M4 chip steals the show. We’ve seen it shine in the M4 iPad Pro (nine months ago) and the M4 Mac Mini (four months back). In the Air, it’s passively cooled—no fans—meaning sustained performance takes a slight hit compared to the Mini. But for everyday tasks? It’s a beast. The 16-core neural engine pumps up AI capabilities, speeding up things like background cutouts and photo enhancements in Pixelmator Pro. Sure, rendering images locally is faster too, but that’s more “neat” than “necessary.”
Performance in Action
Picture this: You’re at a café, editing a 4K video of your latest adventure. The M4 lets you glide through the Final Cut Pro timeline without a stutter at quarter resolution. Exporting lags just a tad behind the Mac Mini, but for 99% of Air users, that’s irrelevant. Most won’t touch 3D modeling, Logic Pro, or AAA games. Instead, they’ll juggle video calls, 20 Safari tabs, and productivity apps. Still, it’s wild that this laptop can flex for pro-level tasks if you push it—like connecting two 6K displays with the lid open, a fix for last-gen gripes.
My One Gripe: The Display
This laptop’s a gem, but the display? I want more. Coming from a MacBook Pro, I’m spoiled by Mini-LED, high refresh rates, and nanotexture coatings—all reserved for the Pro line. The Air’s 60Hz LCD is fine for most, but imagine how vibrant photos would pop with a brighter, richer screen. It’s got the battery to handle it—give us the option, Apple!
Is the Base Model Enough?
Every year, I ask: Can you get by with the base spec? In 2025, yes—for most. With 16GB of unified memory and 256GB of storage, it’s solid. Upgrades are pricey (no surprise), but $999 for this setup is huge—it cuts down on swap memory reliance. You can snag a faster charger for $20, too. If you don’t need the latest, the previous gen with 8GB is $799 at Best Buy—a killer deal for Intel Mac upgraders.
Final Thoughts
The M4 MacBook Air is a no-brainer recommendation. Changes are subtle—a chip we’ve seen, a barely-there color—but the power-to-price ratio is thrilling. It’s not just a laptop; it’s a testament to how far entry-level tech has come. Whether you’re a student, a casual user, or someone who occasionally edits on the go, this Sky Blue beauty delivers.